Hero Labradors
T-minus 2025
T-minus is a yearly design challenge where RIT hosts a company with a deep need for design help. This year's partner was Hero Labradors, a non-profit based in Texas that breeds labradors to be trained for service professions. The founder, Chuck, delivered a long list of annoyances with the current bus layout, functionality, and overall aesthetic. My team, comprised of varied years of schooling, sought to target high profile areas of the bus that posed the most benefit or risk to the puppies and the residing individual while intending to reuse much of what is already in use. These focus points include the bedding, the dog kennels, the storage of food and overall storage solution, and the air conditioning unit.
The Clients
The Puppy Bus (Before)
Bus Redesign (After)
The new floor is made from a vinyl paneling that, when installed, would raise the floor surface four inches. It has a smooth, easy to clean surface which is significantly easier for puppy clean up than the existing grooved bus floor. Raising the floor height creates room for a track that can help hold the kennels in place and make transitioning the kennel on and off the bus much easier. Around the track are a series of bolted straps that can be conveniently locked onto the kennel, both from the floor and ceiling, to ensure it won't move when the bus is in motion.
A horizontal murphy bed can be flipped up when not in use, granting more space for the driver. It also includes shelving above for additional storage. Beside the bed is the A/C unit which sits on a cabinet for A/C parts. The new sliding mechanism attached to the window prevents the hassle of removing the tubes whenever the unit is not in use.
Across from the bed is a narrower wireframe shelf for luggage, documentation, merchandise, and supplies for the dogs. In the shelf are 40lb containers for food storage, which are lighter and have the lid located at the front for easier access. Detachable netting is attached to the front of the shelf to prevent items from falling during travel.
Notable Modifications
